Owen's a bit cocky at the moment, since his 11th birthday was marked by the arrival of his first phone, and his own front door key.

The Boy is now a Man, apparently...

and naturally this is now a common sight.

But thankfully he's still enough of a kid to do this too.

Look, it's a Boy on a Stick.

Sunday lunch at our friends Sally and Terry's house was lovely.

Three couples, six offspring ranging from 8 to 17 years old, plenty of delicious food, booze and chat, what could be better?

Claudia appears to have appropriated one of my denim jackets.

Hmm, what will she borrow next, I wonder?

I was very successful at avoiding any cooking all weekend; I love it when someone else cooks for me, and Saturday night saw me frocked up for dinner with the girls round at Sue's.

It was a first outing for the 1970s Frederick Howard maxi dress I bought at Second to None on my last trip to Walsall.

Claud snapped one quick photo before I left the house, and I promptly forgot to take any others all evening. Oh well.

The devil's in the detail; I love the gold braid on the dress, and how my tapestry bag is camouflaged amongst the pebbles and fallen leaves in my garden, but am ridiculously irritated by that inverted droplet on the close-up of the necklace.

Never mind, no one comes here for professional blogger photos, do they?

See what I mean?

On the way back from the post office this morning, I popped in to the local Barnardo's charity shop (the one where everything is £1.49), and found this little beauty nestling among the Dorothy Perkins, F&F and Atmosphere...

a late 1950s/early 1960s silver and gold brocade Global dress.

If you can see it, the label says the dress is a size 20; I've tried it on and it's a little snug on my UK size 12-14 body. Bugger. I'm quite accustomed to vintage sizing being much smaller than the modern version, but I'm surprised a 20 isn't big enough. I'll try it again with the right underwear on and see how it looks.

(Incidentally, Tania has two gorgeous Global dresses, and she shared her research about the manufacture of clothing in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong in the 1950-60s; you can read about it here.)

42 comments:

What a fine looking family you are!I'm loving the black pleated number with the Kinky jacket. Leopard adds new life to everything, doesn't it?The Second to None dress is divine, shame we didn't get to see it indulging in drunken antics, though?What a gorgeous shift dress! Those Global dresses really are are minute. I've a 1950s on that wouldn't fit a Sindy doll. Thank goodness we aren't those odd women obsessed with the labels in their clothes or we'd be weeping into our lager and chips. Pro blogger photos? I still cry with laughter at our feeble attempts at Burton selfies! Love you! xxxxxx

Wow. Vix must be sitting on your front porch. What a nice thought. Your family is so sweet. But OH they do grow up so fast. SOB! And just so you know, if your child borrows an article of clothing it is a SUPREME compliment! Well, you know that I love black clothing so of course I think you look quite chic. But then...you always look quite chic. And that brocade number...yum. But in what global universe is size 20 a small? Perhaps it is sized by age.

What a great blog post ! loved your outfits, love that silver dress you got , lovely looking children you have and what a great weekend you had ! thank you for your comments you leave me have a good week Curtise xxxx

A TWENTY wouldn't fit you!?!?!? Madness!!! What a find though! I told you about my disappointing tiny vintage dress didn't I! How nice to be cooked for. Actually, the only cooking I did was scrambled eggs to go with toast and gravalax last night all other meals were made for me too all weekend!x

the size of that Global dress is one of the reasons I don't wear vintage (it makes me sad) My Mom and her sisters weren't slim and none of them ran around naked. Where did all their clothes go? (and the stock from the stores they bought it in?) But look on the bright side, if I was slim I'd have so many clothes I wouldn't have room for anything else.

I reckon Owen's heard about the Beckham boy modelling for Burberry, look at that pose, has he had tuition from Vix? Love both these frocks, the LBD with a slash neck...so flattering when one has a neck...if you know what I mean. Great to see the StN number getting an airing at last. Sounds like a pretty good weekend all round and I see you've watching the jungle antics...me too! Haha love that selfie, priceless. xxx

You have the most darling family - I love it that your son has his own key now, that's a big leap! Your maxi is maxi-fabulous and so is your jewelry. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, stay fabulous, xox.

Look at you and your gorgeous tribe! Fair few chips off the old block there. Love the new-to-you black 1970s dress, i'm not at all tired of the black. Ha, Claudia has nicked your denim jacket. Good job you've got the kinky leopard instead. Gosh, that Second to none frock is gorgeous now I see it again. Global! They are lovely, but yes, they do come up small. Being cooked for is one of life's great pleasures for absolute sure! Xxxxxxxx

O, jaysus, I love that black frock, and I LOVE the new maxi!!! Fabularse new scores! I am always a little bit rigid with rage over that amazing handbag, but you already know that.the new Kinky coat is dreamy, you better lock it up, or it will go the way of the denim jacket!!!I love a lunch out, and I love a splendid lunch with a big bunch of fun people! I hope the booze flowed!Love! XXX

A little boozing, a little dining, a little family time, and a whole lot of styling. I love your new maxi. Well, Claudia may borrow your jacket but she can also take a mean (as in good) photo of her mum. Let's see you get into that Global with a little help from wonderwear. Awesome find!

Beautiful! You look beautiful in this outfit, with all the charming details (look at this gorgeous necklace!) and of course the new favorite - fur jacket. Love the maxi dress - it probably would make my top 5 of your dresses. Although they all are great!As always, pleasure to see your family. You all are wonderful! Claudia looks cool in your denim jacket! Hugses! xxxx

love your humor sooo much - perfect blogger pics - hihi! as i started blogging some men(!) insisted in buying a pro camera - phhh. i prefer charme for perfection.the black-with-goldish combo is very chic, you look like a parisian bohemian here!the global dress looks like shrunken in the wash, you can iron it GENTLE FROM THE LEFT SIDE. with damp.xxxxxxx

No wonder your crop jacket is a favourite, it is wicked, watch out for Claudia nicking off with it too.Having boys the only thing they would take that was mine was the sock. Now their feet a far too big so my socks are safe!! Clothing sizes always amaze me, some are true but most are way out. Nice frock tho', hopefully with the right underwear it will fit you perfectly.

Your new shift dress is gorgeous! I love the family shots and the luxury of others cooking for you, yes please! I get my meals cooked for me only when I'm poorly or if it's a birthday or anniversary! xxx

The faux fur cropped jacket is the perfect topper for that sleek black dress with a twinkle of braid! What a lovely evening with friends you enjoyed, Curtise, in an ensemble that combined elegance with comfort. You've set a high standard for all of us as the holidays loom on our social calendars. (I can dream of wearing comfy tights and booties under that splendid Howard maxi...)

Vintage sizing baffles me. If it looks doable, I try it on in a spirit of hope and adventure. Would the brocade submit to conversion into a tunic?

Predominate black is just a clear statement ... lots of wiggle room to say something with black, but it's always interesting. You rock this so well, but you know I think you always look great in black. Your jacket from V is smashing!Congrats to Owen on his Phone-Mitzpah! (And good luck to you, too!) They're a safety thing nowadays, I know, but so much fun, too!Lovely long print ... your yummy staple. That white dress is worth wriggling into shapewear for. Might it have been altered?

My dearest Curtise you make Share-in-Style shine.I love, love, love your post and cannot get over your kids growingin front of my eyes.wowwwwwwwwwwPS: please don´t forget to vote tomorrow for your favourite look tomorrow ( Rosy and I are not included in the voting. This is all about you all)Tons of kissesXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Happy Belated Birthday Owen! yep, once those phones arrive they seem to be medically attached! gorgeous pics of you and yours, and of course Claudia will be in your wardrobe, it's magnificent! Abby only borrows my essentials, jumpers etc that never seem to come back - well done for avoiding the cooking all weekend, that, my friend is an achievement! and your brocade dress, isn't she a beauty, vintage size 20? pah! what nonsense! x x x

The birthday boy most certainly looks pretty pleased with himself! Good! You should love that javket from Vix it's perfect with just about everything huh. I am loving this black dress but it's cause all your extras are so interesting, black ain't boring on you, ever! I do hope with the right under garments you can fit into that perfect dress you found, glamour that one has in large amounts!Loveyouxxxxxxxxxxx